The Armour Archive

Greetings all-

I was wondering if there are any specific rivet types that a person should use or avoid when riveting titanium? For example, will mild steel rivets react with the titanium?

Thanks in advance,
Castings

Mild steel won't have any issues. I've got a pair of ti gauntlets that are riveted together with roofing nails.

The one to talk to would be Mrks. He posts here alot.

hi there

I do alot with titanium and it wont react with much... except being worked hot in a hydrogen rich atmosphere. when worked hot it absorbs hydrogen like a sponge and the hydrogen weakens Ti's metal matrix making it brittle if exposed long enough.

some of my personal armour uses copper coated steel rivets for articulation straps that I want to occasionally change or blow.

I have noticed no degradation of the titanium and I have been using it for over five years now. the leather and rivets have rusted heavily due to sweat but I cannot justify using brass or stainless on something I change every so often.

I prefer stainless for articulation rivets as it much more durable and brass for assembly rivets.

here is alink to more info on titanium and working it.

http://tiarmour.com/Index%20help.htm

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mrks
squire to sir aveloc
tiarmour.com ==>> maker of fine Titanium armour

[This message has been edited by mrks (edited 01-27-2003).]